DISTRIBUTION OF COLLAGENS TYPE-I, TYPE-III AND TYPE-V IN THE PANCREASOF RAT, DOG, PIG AND MAN

The presence of collagens type I, type III and type V was determined i mmunohistochemically in pancreatic tissue of rat, pig, dog and man. Th e reaction to anti-collagen type I is weak (pig, dog) or moderate (rat , man) in the peri-insular region and in the lobar, lobular and acinar septa, whereas the reaction to anti-collagen type III is well develop ed. In rat and dog, the latter reaction deposit on the lobar and acina r septa is prominent. These elements only show a moderate reaction int ensity in pig and man. The peri-insular region displays a weak (rat, d og, man) or very weak (pig) reaction against collagen type III. Anti-c ollagen type V reacts moderately (rat, dog, man) or weakly (pig) in th e lobar and lobular septa. The acinar septa show a moderate (rat, dog, man) or very weak (pig) reaction. This information regarding the type s and distribution of the collagenous compounds in pancreatic extracel lular matrix could lead to differentiated enzymatic pancreas dissociat ion and, ultimately, increased islet yield and improved reproducibilit y of pancreatic islet isolation procedures for transplantation purpose s.